County approves 2013 millage

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By Scott Brand

Sault Ste. Marie Evening News - Sault Ste. Marie, MI

By Scott Brand

Posted Jun. 11, 2013 at 3:30 PM

By Scott Brand

Posted Jun. 11, 2013 at 3:30 PM

Sault Ste. Marie

The Chippewa County Board of Commissioners approved the 2013 property tax levy following a public hearing during Monday’s afternoon session and also threw its support behind a trio of Upper Peninsula Association of County Commissioners (UPACC) resolutions which realistically amounted to a wish list of things they would like to see happen.

Chippewa County Equalization Director Sharon Kennedy provided a breakdown of the county-wide assessment — including 6.15 mills for county allocation — as follows with .4275 for EMS, .9879 for roads, .5000 for the recycling program, .6000 for the county jail, .4994 for the senior meals and other associated programs and .55 mills for community safety — assuming passage of a millage request in November for an expanded law enforcement presence in Chippewa County schools. The final .55 mills would not be assessed if voters reject the proposal, according to county officials.

The commission also unanimously backed a UPACC proposal to improve Michigan roads, noting the state is losing $3 million per day and more than $1 billion per year due to maintenance costs and increased wear and tear on roads and bridges. The resolution further states that nearly one-third of Michigan roads are currently ranked as in poor condition and by 2018, unless something is done, nearly two thirds of the state’s road network will be in poor condition.

The resolution calls for a $10 billion investment over the next decade — earmarking that money specifically for roads with the revenue to be shared equally on a per mile basis.

The second UPACC resolution called for an increase in the taxes assessed to lands enrolled in the Commercial Forest Act. The Upper Peninsula currently has nearly 2.2 million acres and various counties are interested in pursuing the full market value tax rate on all of this acreage, collecting those funds directly from the State of Michigan.

Finally, the third UPACC resolution called for increased access to health insurance coverage for low income workers, families and veterans through increased Medicaid health coverage.

Despite gaining unanimous approval from Chippewa County Commissioners, there are no guarantees that this UPACC wish list will be granted once it moves beyond the local units of government in the Upper Peninsula.

“I guess we should ask for a pony, too,” said Chippewa County Chairman Scott Shackleton, seemingly underscoring the likelihood of having these requests approved.